#$%^&*AU2011223989A120120607.pdf#####EXPANDABLE SEGMENTED AND SECTIONED ACCESS ASSEMBLY ABSTRACT An improved access assembly (100) is provided. The access assembly (100) includes a tubular member (130) having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular 5 member (130) including at least one section extending at least a portion of a length therein. The access assembly (100) further includes a first ring (110) including a plurality of first segments (112, 114, 116, 118) and secured at the proximal end of the tubular member (130) and a second ring (120) including a plurality of second segments (122, 124, 126, 128) and secured at the distal end of the tubular member (130). At least two io segments of the plurality of first segments (112, 114, 116, 118) are independently expandable. At least two sections of the plurality of sections are independently expandable.
